It is done. We can let out our breath. We can shake ourselves back to wakefulness after a 3 week daydream. I can go back to riding lazily slower. (Hey, a little hyperbole here, but it's OK.) Despite some "Yeah, I told you so" cynicism, this was one heck of a tour and sporting event....even without the drug drama. After last year's disaster, and the seeming inevitability of many of the Lance years, this Tour worked. Sure, there were dopers (who expected a buncha schoolgirls-- apologies to Yen), but there was also some honest battling, Popo's dedication, Levi's solid riding and competing with grace, Axel's tears as he finished his last Tour, both dogs pulled through, Phil's occasional and traditional verbal slips, endless repetitons of the same damned commercials, Johan's relative open assessments, and so on. And, the Tour responded vigorously and summarily to a few jerks.
Not bad....I'll be back next as I have every year since before Lemond's 8 second win in '89 sent me whooping all over the living room.
The BikeForums Team
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...(who expected a buncha schoolgirls-- apologies to Yen)...
Huh? (Translation needed...)
I tuned in this morning just in time to hear something like "and that's it for another year...." so I'm anxiously looking forward to the repeat broadcast of the exciting finale at 5:00 tonight.
BluesDawg
I too think it has been a great tour. I'll miss it. One thing to keep in mind, though. At this point last year, we didn't know about it being a disaster. We were excited and elated about Floyd's incredible comeback victory. :eek:
stapfam
One thing that has hit me right at the end of this years TDF is the politics that are about to happen with regard to the breakaway from the UCI. of the Tour Organisors. I just have that feeling that the fuse is light and we are about to go through a bit of turmoil with the organising bodies Fighting each other.
I feel that the drug taking this year- or rather the Drug takers that have been caught- will only be a good thing for the sport. It shows that cycling is getting it act together and will not tolerate cheating.
Jet Travis
Huh? (Translation needed...)
When it comes to the Tour, Crosschain speaks in tongues. Not even Bob Roll could translate.
roccobike
I too think it has been a great tour. I'll miss it. One thing to keep in mind, though. At this point last year, we didn't know about it being a disaster. We were excited and elated about Floyd's incredible comeback victory. :eek:
OMG! YOUR RIGHT! They just made the announcement on ESPN. :eek: UCI has banned the dogs that ran into the race lanes from attending all future TDFs.:D
I know what you mean BluesDawg, I just hope, for cycling's sake, there are no after race surprises.
CrossChain
Huh? (Translation needed...)
.
Didn't want to make a gender slur with my "buncha schoolgirls" statement. I meant we shouldn't see theses guys as noble demi-gods; they're necessarily highly competitive, go for it people who push up against the rules in pursuit of winning. Then again, I daily work with a true "buncha schoolgirls" and they're as contentious, aggressive, and given to disolving social agreements in a second as any peloton of pro racers. Admittedly they are cuter and don't quite shave their legs yet.
Yen
I wondered if that's what you meant. But, since I'm not the only woman here and, well, my name usually doesn't come up in conversations about TdF (until they add a new category for 50+ women re-entering cycling after age 50 riding a hybrid :) ).... well, you can see why I was a little confused. :o
CrossChain
Yen,
All your objections don't matter......you ride regularly, no matter the distance or speed, you are dedicated to it, and feel strongly about it.......you're a Cyclist! (Pink helmet notwithstandng.)
Hey, come to think of it there was a whole team of pink-helmeted cyclists in the TdF. :D
BSLeVan
I'm a real baseball fan and awoke this morning wondering who Barry Bonds was. Yes, the tour was that good this year. It was good entertainment, drama, and filled with stuff us cycling geeks really like/need. Keep in mind, however, that the pro season isn't over yet. True that VS won't be brocasting anything with as much coverage as the TdF, but one can still follow the races online.
freeranger
I've got to admit--I was put off by the doping, but looks like perhaps a lesson was learned that it won't be tolerated, and rules will be strictly enforced. I think that the subsequent Tour will be better, with less doping (or maybe none?!), making it more competitive for all riders. Just hope the sponsors think the same way, so it may continue and prosper.
Red Baron
Of all the things i have missed since i left the states, this is HIGH on my list.
stonecrd
It will leave a hole in my evenings. I always record the morning live coverage so that I don't have to listen to the commercials. This year like all years had some controversy and drama. Being a cyclist I just sit an watch in awe how easily these guys cruise down the road at 45-55kph and climb endless grades without falling over. The mountain stages are my favorites as the drama of who will survive vs who will crack is the best. I am sure the sport will continue I hope the controversy does not. Getting all excited about a riders performance to only hear the next day they failed the drug test has to stop. Now if they could find a replacement for Trautwig and broadcast in HD it would be perfect.
rodrigaj
You actually watch this?
I'm out riding my bike - 400 miles last week.
Create your own personal TdF.
(I'm off my soapbox;))
Jet Travis
Create your own personal TdF.
I tested positive for chocolate chip cookie and was kicked out of the peloton.
europa
Finally, I get to go to bed at a decent hour.
Finally, I get to ride my bike without wondering why the speed display is stuck at an indecently low figure.
I don't really know when the tour came through for you lot, but here in Oz, the live telecasts started around 10 in the evening and continued until about 2 in the morning. Of course I sat up and either watched them all or slept through the intersting bits. Fortunately, the first two weeks coincided with school holidays so I could sleep in the morning after. The first week back at school with the kids was horrid to say the least.
Yes yes, I know the rest of the world ignored Cadel, but we in Oz didn't and to be honest, I think you'll find him harder to ignore in the future - not only is he a fine rider and canny fighter, but he is gaining a reputation among the clean riders. And you had to nearly kill O'Grady, McEwan and Rogers to get them out of the picture. No, I'm not ignoring Disco and their fantastic results this year - surely they won't have any trouble finding a new sponsor after this tour's efforts.
But I am really glad this flamin' bike race is over. Finally I will be able to reassert some sort of reasonable sleeping pattern (pause for hysterical laughter). Finally I will be able to ride my bike in a manner becomming a gentleman rather than wondering why those fit young gits in lycra can climb mountains faster than I can go down them. Finally I will be able to take the dog for rides ... but only because I've finally found a trailer I can afford, something that has nothing to do with le tour but he looks so forlorn at the gate as I head out for a ride.
I'm one of those who has a track record stretching back to the eighties of being seduced by Le Tour. Every year, I'd climb back onto the bike. Some years, I'd be off it a month or more later. Some years I was still riding when the next one came around. This tour, I was still riding from last year's tour ... and I fully intend to be riding when the next one comes around (it'd be nice if there was a nice lady sharing the riding with me hint, hint). Whatever, I'll be watching everything that's available on the local tele, I'll be screaming support for all the aussies, whether they be fighting for yellow or working as a domestique. We aussies like to think we invented the SuperDomestique. No, don't shatter our illusions, but Neil Stephens set new benchmarks for the job.
Le Tour is a special time in our sporting lives. I hate everyone who dopes, not just those foolish enough to get caught. Nor do I respect those that get caught and deny it - while Millar will never achieve the acclaim he might have, he does deserve some respect for admitting his error and coming back after suspension.
Le Tour will always be with us. I hope it will get through these troubled times and regain its richly deserved glory - there are all sorts of races and you can argue about their merits till you turn blue (the Race Across America is insane ... and I'd love some dvds from more recent times), but Le Tour is one of the true tests of a man. Those who complete it honourably enrichen those of us who stand in awe.
Richard
jazzy_cyclist
Yeah, I always get a little depressed at this time of year, knowing that my "evening fix" is going away. I dedicated my ride yesterday to the TDF, and the hopes that we are at a turning point with regards to doping. I know that a lot of the riders feel the same way because they love the sport at least as much as I do.
That said, I didn't feel that the drama and spectacle was reduced all that much. Who can forget those duels between Rasmussen and Contador going up those incredible grades? On the other side, I just can't believe Vino -- if you win, you get tested, and if you get tested, you get caught -- what the heck was he thinking? I'm really feeling that I'm much more behind the ASO than I was was previously.
All right - back to those intervals....
BSLeVan
You actually watch this?
I'm out riding my bike - 400 miles last week.
Create your own personal TdF.
(I'm off my soapbox;))
You actually read threads on the 50+ forum? ;) To each his/her own I guess.
Artkansas
All I saw was the announcement of the winner on Univision. I guess that fits.
dbg
It struck me that Rabobank actually might get good publicity (integrity points) for dumping a suspicious character even while he was leading. Was that anybody else's opinion?
LynnH
I enjoyed every minute of it! Got up this morning and was very disappointed that it was over.
dagna
I am having withdrawal. It went from All Tour, All the Time at my house to zero, zip, zilch, nada, null, nought, nothing. Wwwwhhhhaaaaaaaaa!
Jet Travis
And for one last (I hope) little firecracker, Iban Mayo tested positive for EPO...
stapfam
Of all the things i have missed since i left the states, this is HIGH on my list.
Don't worry- Tune into Eurovision in the next couple of months to watch the repeated highlights.
BluesDawg
And for one last (I hope) little firecracker, Iban Mayo tested positive for EPO...
Fat lot of good it did him.
jp173
Which drug lab won?
BluesDawg
Which drug lab won?
The yellow one that ran out in front of the rider and collapsed his wheel.